Dental disease is the most common health problem in cats, affecting an estimated 70-80% of cats over three years of age. Despite this prevalence, dental disease is widely underdiagnosed by owners and underestimated as a welfare problem — cats frequently hide dental pain, continuing to eat even with significant oral pathology.
Common Feline Dental Conditions
Periodontal disease: Progressive inflammation and destruction of structures supporting the teeth. Plaque accumulation leads to gingivitis (reversible) and then periodontitis (irreversible bone loss). The most common dental condition in cats.
Tooth resorption (FORL/TR): Affects up to 50-60% of adult cats. Painful lesions where the tooth structure is progressively destroyed. The cause remains poorly understood. Affected teeth require extraction.
Stomatitis: Severe, painful inflammatory condition affecting the entire oral cavity. Often associated with underlying immune dysregulation. Treatment frequently requires full-mouth extraction, which dramatically improves quality of life.
Fractured teeth: From chewing on hard objects; can expose pulp and cause severe pain
Recognising Dental Pain in Cats
Cats rarely stop eating even with significant dental pain, making owner recognition difficult. Subtle signs include: reduced grooming, preference for soft food, dropping food while eating, facial pawing, drooling, reluctance to be touched around the face, and behaviour changes (increased irritability, reduced social interaction). Halitosis is a clear indicator of dental disease.
Prevention
Toothbrushing: Daily brushing with cat-safe toothpaste is the gold standard; must be introduced gradually from kittenhood using desensitisation and positive reinforcement
Dental diets and treats: Veterinary-approved dental diets (VOHC-endorsed) reduce plaque accumulation; a useful supplement to but not replacement for brushing
Water additives: Some products reduce bacterial plaque formation; evidence variable; use only VOHC-approved products
Professional Dental Care
Annual dental assessment at veterinary visits is recommended. Professional dental cleaning under general anaesthesia allows thorough scaling, polishing, and probing — essential for assessment below the gumline. Dental radiography is essential for identifying tooth resorption and root pathology invisible to visual examination. Many cats benefit from dental treatment every 12-24 months.